Righteousness
It is a good thing to be a good person. Generally helpful, kind to others, cooperative – everyone likes a nice person. We feel like we can be good people because we have a sense that some things are right, and some things are wrong. And, if we give it a good, honest try, God will be satisfied with our efforts. But he isn’t.
Righteousness is having a right standing with God, and that requires perfection. But that is good news for us! Jesus gives us his perfection, his goodness, and kindness. That is the gospel. God gives us what we could never learn so we could live like he does – a righteous standing with God.